Diamond Certified Blog

When it comes to roofing, most Bay Area homeowners try to get the most out of their investments by making upgrades to secure longevity and performance. However, while it’s important to address integral aspects like waterproofing and ventilation, few homeowners consider another important factor: the buildup of algae and mold on roof shingles.

The good news is that unlike faulty waterproofing, which can result in expensive repairs or replacement, algae buildup on shingles won’t compromise a roof’s integrity. Read more

While making upgrades can enhance your home’s energy efficiency, it can be counterproductive if your existing appliances and systems aren’t operating at peak performance. To help consumers identify key problem areas, we asked five Diamond Certified Experts to weigh in on some of the most basic yet overlooked aspects of home energy efficiency.

1. Air sealing – Dustin Cook of D. Cook Construction
Air transmission is a major cause of home energy loss—it’s typically conducted through cracks, joints, and other gaps between the interior and exterior of a home. A simple way to address this is to fill in breaches with supplemental sealing agents like caulk and expansive foams. Read more

With unique and majestic forms that add character to the Northern California landscape, it’s no surprise that Bay Area residents love their oak trees. However, due to rising concerns about the health of indigenous oaks—particularly the recent epidemic of sudden oak death—many property owners have gone on the defensive and become more proactive about preventative maintenance. While this is certainly a positive trend, some people fail to realize that oak trees tend to require minimal maintenance, which means overdoing it can do more harm than good. Read more

When it comes to retrofitting and renovation, San Francisco homeowners face challenges as unique as the city itself. One issue that many homeowners face is how to make their older homes more energy efficient. A great way to increase energy efficiency in any house is to upgrade the windows and doors. However, according to John Gorman of Save Energy Company, swapping out old windows for new ones isn’t always a simple task in San Francisco. Read more

Hoping to benefit from attributes like increased longevity and energy savings, many homeowners are making the switch from traditional water heaters to tankless models. For some, however, the costs of conversion and installation are prohibitively expensive, while for others the estimated financial returns of going tankless are too minimal to make it a viable option. In either case, a more cost-effective alternative is to maximize the life of your current water heater. Read more

Watch this video to learn about the warning signs of a home improvement scam. Read more

If your heating and air conditioning system needs to be repaired, there are a lot of service companies willing to do the job. However, it’s important to remember that due to the sophisticated nature of HVAC technology, system maintenance and repairs should only be performed by a licensed technician. Hiring an unlicensed, inexperienced company will not only affect the quality of your repair, it can also create a dangerous situation for everyone in your home. Read more

Do you know how to properly clean your refrigerator? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more

Everyone knows flossing is an important part of dental hygiene, but many people are confused about what type of floss to use. The sheer amount of options can be overwhelming, which is why it’s a good idea to have some basic knowledge before making a decision.

Fundamentally, there are two types of dental floss: nylon and monofilament. While nylon has been the standard dental floss for some time, monofilament floss is a more recent technology that consists of rubber, plastic or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Both nylon and monofilament flosses are available as waxed or un-waxed and come in a variety of flavors. Read more

Watch this video to learn how to minimize rust damage to your vehicle. Read more